Can you give up smoking, and/or, meat for a day?

LAS CRUCES - What kind of sadistic person would ask someone to give up cigarettes and cheeseburgers for the same 24-hour period?

Wednesday is the start of spring, but did you know that it is also National Kick Butts Day and the Great American Meatout Day?

I do not smoke, actually, but I do like my beef, chicken, pork, etc. I can't think of the last time I went three meals without some sort of meat. Should I give it a try? To what end?

We all can figure out the reasoning behind these days. Smoking can lead to health problems, thus certain groups would like people who smoke to stop. One day without a smoke isn't necessarily going to reach that end, but it will get people thinking about the subject. It might even make someone say, "Hey, I could quit for a day - maybe I should keep going."

National Kick Butts Day is actually geared toward the younger crowd to try and stave off a life of smoking. According to the website kickbuttsday.org, it is a "day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control."

As for the Great American Meatout Day, the organizers do not want you to just give up meat for a day, but they'd like you to actually eat vegan for the day. That means no animal products of any kind, including milk and eggs. Some people are vegan for health or dietary reasons while others choose the lifestyle for additional ethical concerns, in that they feel the use of animals for consumption is wrong.

Advertisement

"Meatout is a day for everyone to try healthy foods. Let us show you how easy a wholesome, compassionate diet can be," the website meatout.org reports.
The organization reports that "The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection of alternatives in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants and catering operations."

The concept will not be too hard for Gale Fulte.

"I do a couple of meatless days a week now and am always looking for more meat free and vegan recipes," he said via Facebook.
Lorena Herrera is enthusiastic.

"(I) gave up smoking 10 years ago, gave up meat three years ago. Never have felt better," she said.